Audition Rotations

[ilovefishing]

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Hi all! Sorry if this has been asked already. Do you think it is necessary to do audition rotations? Have any of you done audition rotations and felt like it helped (or hurt) your chances of matching at a particular program? Thanks for your help!

 

[Slade]

I've always heard the following wise words: "You never look as good as you do on paper." Just imagine trying to find your way in a new hospital, with a different EMR, different protocols, etc. It will take at LEAST 1 week to just get used to the flow of things. Unfortunately people's impression of others is usually formed pretty quickly so unless you are a super star, I would not recommend it.
Note: this is exclusive to Peds where aways are definitely not necessary, this wouldn't hold in competitive specialties like ophtho or rad onc.

 

[pooh86]

I agree with Slade. I did two away rotations and noticed that unless you are doing a Sub-I at the away rotation (not a sub-specialty) and you excelled at everything (presented in grand rounds/Chairman rounds, etc.) it doesn't really make a difference. If they were going to interview you just by your paper application, they would have. If your application wasn't good enough, they'll give you a courtesy interview at the end of Jan but wouldn't rank you highly anyways.

On the other hand, away rotations are a good way for YOU to get to know a program. It was like a month long '2nd look' for me. I went to a institution that I considered to be #1 on my rank list. But after going there, I realized it really wasn't for me and now it's a #7-8 on my list.

 

[justdoit31]

I did 3 away rotations: 1 of them was fabulous and the program loved me and basically said come on board, 1 of them was a "reach" program for me and didn't even do curtsey interviews, and the last 1 I got an interview before I even did away so I have no clue how it affected me.

Basically I would say do them if you want to get a better feel or if a place offers something your home program doesn't (which is the case for me). But if you do them- work hard!

 

[Vita]

I'd say it probably helps to show the program you are interested. They are not needed by any means, but if you take the time to get the know the program then your interest is clear. For me, it gave me a much better understanding of the program and it ended up being my first choice.

I did several away rotations and found each of the helpful in that I got to see how different places operate and learn what I was looking for in a program. I also interviewed at each of these programs, and sometimes the view they present on interview day is quite different than the reality. It was nice to see this because it made me look at all programs a bit more critically, rather than just at face value.

 

[ilovefishing]

Thanks for the feedback! I originally planned on doing 3 Sub-I's, but then a 4th year told me to save my money for interviews and not even waste my time. I haven't had a peds rotation yet so I doubt that I'd wow a program with my awesomeness at this point

 

[justdoit31]

Thanks for the feedback! I originally planned on doing 3 Sub-I's, but then a 4th year told me to save my money for interviews and not even waste my time. I haven't had a peds rotation yet so I doubt that I'd wow a program with my awesomeness at this point

Remember that you don't have to do Sub-I's for each away. I didn't do a Sub-I at any I did specialities, or EM because I can do a basic floor month at my school but to get a higher volume of specialty patients I went to bigger places. Also, look for hospitals near people you might know who could offer you a bed/couch for a discount- I only paid short-term housing at one place and the other 2 both were with friends/family members (I offered to cover utilities/pay for hassle neither accepted).

My personal favorite month was a Peds ER rotation- lots of different residents/fellows coming and going through ER either as coverage for the ER or admiting teams. Plus lots of procedures that for the most part I got to do!

 

[Pedsdoc13]

I did two away rotations, and I think they were extremely helpful for both getting an interview, and getting to know the program. I already knew how to use the EMRs, but I didn't feel too disadvantaged not knowing the people, hospital and place. Perhaps it was because these are very large programs that often have rotators, but I thought it was easy to really "show your stuff" and do really well clinically.

Most importantly, as someone mentioned above, it was a month to really get to know the program. I loved both of the places I went. But, I had a friend who after spending a month at what she thought was her number one, end up disliking it and not even applying there. I agree with the poster above- it's really hard to get a good idea of programs based on the interview day! They do a wonderful job of selling the program and recruiting, so spending a month there is very valuable when it comes time to rank places.